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Eric Holder gave false info. to a Congressional Committee last May about ATF operations tied to the deaths of two U.S. Agents; we have the proof.

Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry and Special Agent Jaime Zapata from ICE both died from weapons that were sent to Mexico from the United States. There is no knowledge as to how many lives the U.S. weapons smuggling programs claimed in Mexico.

(SALEM, Ore.) - (This is an update and overview: Report on Eric Holder & U.S. Weapons Smuggling Program to Mexico Making Rounds) New information indicates that U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder's actions are squarely behind the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms) operation known as "Fast and Furious", which orchestrated the delivery of almost 2,000 weapons to Mexican drug cartels[1].

Holder openly proclaimed his connection to the operation in April 2009 during a publicized speech in Mexico, then told a Congressional Committee in May 2011, "I probably heard of Fast and Furious the first time in the last few weeks."[2]

The ATF weapons smuggling ring involved the arrest of several government officials with the city of Columbus, New Mexico including the mayor and police chief, but that is all[3].

They were apparently known from the beginning and the weapons deals with 'straw buyers' were videotaped. Smuggled U.S. weapons from this operation, described as mostly semi automatic versions of military weapons like the AK-47, were found to be used in the shooting deaths of two U.S. federal agents.

The new information, which is not really new at all, proves that Holder had to be aware of the U.S. government weapons smuggling operation planned and implemented by federal agents from ATF which he denied to Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-CA) less than two months ago, as detailed below.

Background on Fast and Furious 'Gunrunner' Operation

As we have reported with the help of our Photojournalist Robert Plumlee, who is a former CIA asset, we know that around 1,800 weapons were funneled through the Chaparral Gun Store in Chaparral, New Mexico, and into the hands of the murderous cartels. As referenced, the gun shop was directly tied to the mayor, police chief and city council of Columbus, New Mexico, a town famous for the Pancho Villa border raids a century before[4].

Weapons from the ATF Gunrunner or Gunwalker scheme as it came to be known, were recovered from the desert where U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry died in a shootout with cartel members. A U.S. gun that allegedly was smuggled into Mexico from Dallas, Texas, was used to murder an Immigration Customs Enforcement Agent named Jaime Zapata[5].

Considering how big of a problems guns and violence already are in Mexico, it should be a mystery how this U.S. / Mexico weapons smuggling program was ever launched, and according to Holder's earlier testimony, included in our report, Feds Call Meeting with Journalist Who Reported Human Remains and Cartel Weapon Build up with U.S. Ties, it is a mystery[6].

This is official sworn testimony from Holder, the video is transcribed.

House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa grills Attorney General Eric Holder over Failure and tragedy of 'Operation Fast and Furious'

Issa: "When did you first know about the program, Fast and the Furious? To the best of your knowledge what date?"

Holder: "I'm not sure of the exact date but I probably heard of Fast and Furious the first time in the last few weeks."

Issa: "How about the head of the Criminal Dept. Lanny Brewer, did he authorize it?"

Holder: "I'm not sure whether or not Mr. Brewer authorized it, you have to understand in which the department operations, although there are operations this one has gotten a great deal of publicity".

Issa: "Yeah there are dead Americans as a result of this failed and reckless program. so I would say that it hasn't gotten enough attention, has it Mr. Attorney General?"

Holder: "Not exactly, there is an investigation that is underway You'll have to look at that to see what exactly in regard to..."

Issa: "But Mr. Attorney General..."

Holder: "...I take very seriously, the allegation..."

Issa: "Mr. Attorney General, do you take seriously... Mr. Attorney General, do you take, take seriously a subpoena signed by the Clerk of the House?"

Holder: "Of course".

Issa: "Mr. Attorney General, isn't it true that those cases that will go to trial in June... We have very limited time, sorry, those cases are basically a bunch of meth addicts who did the buying, that you do not have what this program was supposed to produce, you don't have the kingpins, you don't have the places it went, what you have are the people you already had on videotape many, many months before indictments were brought, isn't this true?"

Holder: "There are cases that are important that we are tying to bring that we want to try successfully and they are part of a scheme they are part of a scheme. You can't look at an individual case as an individual matter and think it's unimportant because small cases lead to larger ones."

Issa: "We're looking at you, straw purchasers, we're looking at you, and you're key people who knew or should have known about this, and whether or not your judgment was consistent with good practices and whether or not, instead, the Justice Dept. is basically guilty of allowing weapons to kill Americans and Mexicans. So will you agree to cooperate with that investigation both on the House and Senate side?"

Holder: "We'll certainly cooperate with all of the investigations but I take great exception to what you just said; the notion that somehow or another, this Justice Dept. is responsible for those deaths that you mentioned, uh... that assertion's offensive. and I want to tell you that..."

Issa: "What if it's accurate?"

Holder: "...it is the policy of the Justice Dept. to make sure that we do all that we can to protect law enforcement agents, it is one of the reasons we have tried to look at a whole variety of methods and techniques we can use to protect the lives of law enforcement agents, it is something this country is not focused enough on."

Issa: "What am I gonna tell Agent Terry's mother about how he died at the end of a gun that was videotaped as it was sold to a straw purchaser fully intending and expecting it to end up in the hands of drug cartels?"

Holder: "Well, one; you know we'll have to see exactly what happened with regards to the guns that are at issue there. And... (pause) I've attended funerals you know. it's something that, you know it isn't theoretical, this is not political, it is extremely real for me as Attorney General..."

Issa: "It is for us too"[7] .

An article published Friday, 8 July 2011, The Stimulation of Murder, by Investor's Business Daily, explained that A.G. Holder was, in spite of his denial, fully aware of the ATF's gun-running to Mexico operations, to the point that it was fully disclosed in President Barack Obama's Stimulus Bill.

"Right there in the stimulus bill that no one in Congress bothered to read is $10 million for Project Gunrunner (aka Operation Fast and Furious), which resulted in the death of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry and increased drug cartel violence", the article stated[8][9].

Attorney General Eric Holder's direct denial of knowledge of this as shown above, to Congress, could and possibly should be his downfall. Rather than relying on the blog article, I simply copied the words and dropped them into Google. Lo and behold, Holder's 2009 speech in Mexico from the Dept. of Justice...

Attorney General Eric Holder at the Mexico/United States Arms Trafficking Conference in CUERNAVACA, MEXICO Thursday, April 2, 2009

Last week, our administration launched a major new effort to break the backs of the cartels. My department is committing 100 new ATF personnel to the Southwest border in the next 100 days to supplement our ongoing Project Gunrunner, DEA is adding 16 new positions on the border, as well as mobile enforcement teams, and the FBI is creating a new intelligence group focusing on kidnapping and extortion. DHS is making similar commitments, as Secretary Napolitano will detail.

But as today’s conference has emphasized, the problem of arms trafficking will not be stopped at the border alone. Rather, as our experts emphasized, this is a problem that must be met as part of a comprehensive attack against the cartels – an attack in depth, on both sides of the border, that focuses on the leadership and assets of the cartel...[2]

Special Agent Jaime Zapata was shot and killed outside of Mexico City, Mexico.

He and another agent assigned to the United States Embassy and were traveling between Mexico City and Monterrey when they were forced off the road by 10 members of a Mexican drug cartel. The agents were in an armored vehicle with diplomatic plates and identified themselves as diplomats.

The cartel members opened fire on them, fatally wounding Agent Zapata and wounding the second agent.

Several members of the drug cartel were apprehended in Mexico and face charges in connection with Special Agent Zapata's murder.

Special Agent Zapata had served with ICE for four years and had previously served with the United States Border Patrol for just under one year. He is survived by his parents and four brothers, two of whom also serve as federal agents.
Source: ODMP Remembers;...

As if the information isn't bad enough, one of our reporters who has spent the last three years working on the border, gathering information on the narco cartels, Robert 'Tosh' Plumlee; blew the whistle on the gun walking operation known as, Fast and Furious by filing numerous reports to federal agencies and local law enforcement in May 2009 about these guns walking across the border. These reports were some seven plus months before Brian Terry's death in December 2010. Mr. Plumlee also reported a number of alleged bodies buried in the desert on the U.S. side of the border that officials in New Mexico, for whatever reasons, refuse to investigate. These bodies, mostly skeletal remains, have been fully photographed and documented with a GPS (Global Positioning System) located by Mr. Plumlee[6].

Also, as revealed in our recent reports, there are major stores in Mexico of what Robert Plumlee refers to as, 'high impact weapons' which include anti-aircraft guns, rocket propelled grenade launchers and mortars. These weapons are of U.S. origin, they are ample and they include the latest and most deadly, the same high tech weaponry currently deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. While not fully tallied, there are reported sites where thousands and thousands of these weapons exist, along with 'knock-off' Mexican army uniforms[11].

He made note of these weapons storage areas while accompanying a recently disclosed U.S./Mexican joint military force that has been battling the cartels south of the U.S. border since 2009. Even reports about this task force were vehemently denied by Mexico, and then later corroborated by a Wikileaks cable[12][13][14].

Not only are we dealing with official, approved U.S. government weapons smuggling programs, undisclosed U.S./Mexican military anti-narco operations, and hardcore lies from the very top of the U.S. governmental structure; it also seems that there is an overriding motivator for destabilizing the U.S. southern border, and in essence extending the need for both the U.S. and Mexican 'wars on drugs'[13][14][15].

Many may ask, why now... why this? What possible reason would justify shipping weapons to 'trace' in Mexico that have no navigational or homing devices? For those who don't know, more than 40,000 people have been murdered in Mexico since the launch of Calderon's drug war.

This is not to say that the Mexican President is not sincere. In fact by most accounts, Calderon is truly trying to help his country that does have a history of corruption, gain the upper hand over the cartels and end the rampant crime.

As we suggested in the article, Is Los Zetas Military Cartel Planning a Bloody Revolution in Mexico?, the push is on for control of Mexico and Los Zetas, a cartel that began three years ago when its founders split away from the Mexican Army Special Forces, 'Los Zetas', is moving toward a full-scale revolution. Robert Plumlee believes the outcome of the 2012 Mexican elections will determine that outcome. Either way, the end results do not look good, particularly with major supplies of brand new U.S. weapons in the Zetas' control.

The Money Trail

Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry was shot and killed near Rio Rico, Arizona, while attempting to apprehend a group of armed subjects. The suspects had been preying on illegal immigrants with the intent to rob them.

Agent Terry and several other agents were attempting to arrest the group when shots were exchanged between the suspects and agents. Agent Terry was struck in the pelvis by a round fired by a suspect armed with an AK-47.

The wounded agent was flown to a hospital where he succumbed early the following morning.

Four members of the group were taken into custody and at least one suspect remains at large.

Agent Terry was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had served with the United States Border Patrol for 3.5 years. He had previously served as a police officer with the Lincoln Park, Michigan, Police Department. He is survived by his parents, brother, two sisters, five nieces, and one nephew.

Los Zetas does not want the drug war to end. They are known for entering drug rehab facilities in Mexico and killing every single person in the building. The end of the drug war would lead to legalization of marijuana as a health treatment on a federal level and this move would devastate the current U.S. pharmaceutical industry. This is the industry that by all logic, would least benefit from an end to the drug wars. This is very likely why Eric Holder reversed the federal government's position last week on state laws over medical marijuana. He says the feds are going to increasingly bust medical cannabis users and program, regardless of state law, as federal law never made any real concessions.

With the government refocusing enforcing laws against sick people who use marijuana, and delivering deadly weapons to Mexico, one of our writers has been causing significant problems for one of the nation's top pharmaceutical companies.

Our writer Marianne Skolek, who lost her daughter to an Oxycontin-related respiratory failure, has been a thorn in the side of Purdue Pharmaceuticals for years, writing articles that continually expose the practices of this company that has been exposed for very serious criminal behavior.

Aided by Marianne's testimony, along with that of others who lost family members to Oxycontin, two U.S. Attorneys convicted several top level Purdue executives for falsely advertising the drug as both non-lethal and non-addictive. That may stand as one of the most outrageous claims ever made by a supposedly legitimate U.S. business.

The connection is that long before Eric Holder was lying to Congress over the U.S. role in Border Patrol and Immigration Customs Enforcement agent's deaths tied to U.S. supplied weapons in Mexico, he was one of a lawyer for Purdue, at this dark point in their business history.

In the article, Eric Holder negotiated an OxyContin settlement in West Virginia - working for Purdue Pharma!, Ms. Skolek reveals how Holder not only shielded Purdue over falsely advertising the drug Oxycontin which has led to tens of thousands of related deaths, but also how his actions in arranging a settlement actually allowed the drug to become the epidemic it is. That is serious.

In 2001, West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw Jr., filed a civil case against Purdue Pharma alleging that the privately held pharmaceutical company had engaged in "coercive and deceptive" marketing of OxyContin. He alleged that Purdue used misleading advertisements and had promoted the inappropriate use of OxyContin for minor pain. His lawsuit further stated that Purdue had offered doctors free trips to “pain management” seminars where the firm pitched the drug as safe and effective for treating minor pain – without mentioning the drug was supposed to be used only for severe pain and easily abused.

McGraw also alleged that Purdue had told “pharmacists that they can get in trouble if they do not fill prescriptions, even if they believe someone may be an abuser of the drug.”

The lawsuit was a big worry to Purdue because they had a lot to lose financially, and that is why they turned to Eric Holder, an attorney with Covington and Burling in Washington, D.C.

As Marianne wrote in her article:

The morning the case was to go to trial, in November 2004, Holder helped negotiate a settlement. Working in the judge’s chambers in West Virginia, he put together an agreement under which the firm would have to pay $10 million over four years into drug abuse and education programs in West Virginia -- and Purdue Pharma would not have to admit any wrongdoing!

Eric Holder managed to keep the criminal activity of Purdue Pharma quiet since there would be no trial and no documents or testimony to be made public. Did Holder's "hands in the pockets of Purdue Pharma" allow this epidemic of OxyContin death and addiction throughout the country to perpetuate? Many people think it did [16].

It seems clear that there are competing factions in the U.S. government and while there are positive motivations in some cases, there are other motivations that are highly detrimental to the future of both countries. Holder seems to be at the center of this.

There are reports of cartels financing U.S. politicians who have ties to the pharmaceutical industry. There are extremely solid reports of caches of large amounts of weapons that are too vast to have "fallen off the back of a truck".

What is lacking is a direct trail on the campaign contributions. It seems AG Holder has demonstrated for the record that he is not willing to tell the truth when under direct examination, and also that he prefers to see companies like Purdue avoid legal responsibility. I don't know what could be more significant when dealing with a lighted fuse situation like the border wars raging along the border that divides the United States and Mexico.

Tim King is a former U.S. Marine with twenty years of experience on the west coast as a television news producer, photojournalist, reporter and assignment editor. In addition to his role as a war correspondent, this Los Angeles native serves as Salem-News.com's Executive News Editor. Tim spent the winter of 2006/07 covering the war in Afghanistan, and he was in Iraq over the summer of 2008, reporting from the war while embedded with both the U.S. Army and the Marines.

Tim holds awards for reporting, photography, writing and editing, including the Silver Spoke Award by the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (2011), Excellence in Journalism Award by the Oregon Confederation of Motorcycle Clubs (2010), Oregon AP Award for Spot News Photographer of the Year (2004), First-place Electronic Media Award in Spot News, Las Vegas, (1998), Oregon AP Cooperation Award (1991); and several others including the 2005 Red Cross Good Neighborhood Award for reporting. Tim has several years of experience in network affiliate news TV stations, having worked as a reporter and photographer at NBC, ABC and FOX stations in Arizona, Nevada and Oregon. Tim was a member of the National Press Photographer's Association for several years and is a current member of the Orange County Press Club.

Serving the community in very real terms, Salem-News.com is the nation's only truly independent high traffic news Website. As News Editor, Tim among other things, is responsible for publishing the original content of 93 Salem-News.com writers in more that 20 countries. He reminds viewers that emails are easily missed and urges those trying to reach him, to please send a second email if the first goes unanswered. You can write to Tim at this address: newsroom@salem-news.com. Another way to reach Tim is by leaving a comment on any Salem-News.com story, specify 'message to Tim'

All comments and messages are approved by people and self promotional links or unacceptable comments are denied.

LARRY SCHULER October 5, 2011 2:07 pm (Pacific time)

The Salem News, using the Salem News as a source...

PATHETIC! Anyone can string together words. Get a life!

Editor: Don't know who you are Larry, but when only one or two agencies are doing the work, we reference it. You are truly in the 1% here, this story is very serious and point on.

Alberto July 16, 2011 12:46 pm (Pacific time)

Tim below is a 2006 official U.S Senate vote regarding those who voted to raise the debt ceiling and those who voted against it. The vote passed 52 to 48. Not one democrat voted to pass it, including Senator Obama. So are we now involved in more political grandstanding, or are some people really concerned about doing what's right for America? I do know that myself, like all 50 states, operate within a budget. There are several states that are actually now showing a surplus, even during these bad economic times. Guess whose the political party in power in those states doing better econically? If we all end up in breadlines, whose growing the wheat and baking the bread? For some people suggesting that it is by design to create this situation so it causes out of control riots and eventual martial law, well, that is what it's looking like. Even now we are seeing an uptick in mob activity because of the high unemployment and other causal factors. The Gunrunner situation is a very strong hint that there is a plan to rile up emotions re: the 2nd Amendment. Mayor Bloomberg (New York City mayor, and others) is/are spreading his/their tentacles all over the country (his own money) to change gun laws that are in line with Brady gun-grabbers. Baby steps turn into giant leaps if the wrong kind of leadership is in power. All I'm saying is that while people look at the obvious regarding the Holder snafu, that maybe it was planned as a distraction? It was pretty easy to expose, and are they really that dumb? http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109andsession=2andvote=00054

Edster July 14, 2011 2:05 pm (Pacific time)

Keep digging! I can't wait for the impeachment!

Alberto July 12, 2011 6:08 pm (Pacific time)

Seems Osama died from led poisoning, not kidney problems. I read where he had kidney problems, and his second in command was an MD, so maybe they got him the level of treatment he needed. Some caves can be outfitted quite well, and no doubt Osama had considerable resources. Regarding the Mexican gunrunning, my guess is that when more Holder staffers are called before congress, then it's either 5th Amendment or Executive privilge time. Same thing happened with the Clinton Admin. when dealing with so many different things, including foreigh political donations. Many people went to prison, but so far, AG Holder always finds new distractions which the MSM, like a puppy dog, follows gleefully, never providing info the voter should have. Maybe that's why one particular network does well, because they report on the shennanigans.

Jason July 12, 2011 2:25 pm (Pacific time)

The left screamed about 9/11 being an inside job. Some still believe. In Canada and Europe, 60% believe 9/11 was orchestrated by Bush. There has never been any hard evidence, or anyone collaborating, that 9/11 was subterfuge to start a war in Iraq for oil (although oil prices have steadily gone up since). In the "fast and furious" scandal, it's as blatant and open as a box of cereal, yet the media is dead silent. I suppose there is a good side to this malicious tactic to undermine the US Constitution--Obama, Holder and the rest of the current administration have enough respect for Americans to NOT have used this campaign against us. But then again, I wonder if the latest flash mobs and increased in homicides in nearly every city in the US might not be an orchestration by Obama. At this point, how can we not wonder??

Editor: Jason, that isn't really a cause of the left, it is a cause for accountability. The truth is that the official story doesn't start to pass the fact checkers. Sorry, that is the hard truth of the matter. Honestly, same goes for bin Laden, to really believe that he survived in a cave for ten years with failing kidneys is hard to imagine. Sorry, I don't write the scripts for these things, you know?

Colli July 12, 2011 9:33 am (Pacific time)

Sherlock:
I must comment on your statement "I used to say that the Democratic Party is a criminal enterprise, as a way to shock people about how endemic corruption is in Dem-controlled electoral districts. It has become simply a statement of objective fact. Now I just add on ", and the US mainstream media are their accessories and enablers."
To believe that it is only Democrats who lie is a mistake. Greed and a hunger for power exists fully on both sides of the political aisle. Believing that it exists on one side only is dangerous at best!

COLLI July 12, 2011 9:29 am (Pacific time)

What? A U.S. politician is lying? I'm stunned . . . not!
I am 65 years of age and have voted in every election since turning 21 years of age. In every one of those elections I found myself voting for the lesser of two evils. Just once before I die I would love to cast my vote for someone I truly believed was good for the country and it's citizens. However, with two greedy, power-hungry parties paying the piper, I fear that I hope in vain.
The saddest thing is the pain and suffering this move has brought to the good people of Mexico. With two corrupt governments constantly stirring the pot, they are in for pure hell. So how do we get our President to let go of his spoon? Any ideas?

Alberto July 12, 2011 8:05 am (Pacific time)

Wouldn’t it be simpler to leave the guns in the U.S.?”
Occam’s Razor and all, yes. But maybe the propaganda impact would be better if the terrorists used US-sourced guns crossing the border- buy AKs in the US, smuggle across the border to training camps, sneak back with the US guns.
The whole Gunwalker thing is irrational- start a coordinated media push of the concept of drug lords shopping for US guns in border gun shops, then supply the dopers with guns, and up the publicity including demands from the President of Mexico to “stop the flow of guns into Mexico”, the phony gun trace media hype, the whole thing seems horribly irrational.
But maybe having a Mumbai-type attack in the US with guns traced to gun shows and shops in Tx and Az would swing public opinion enough that the Congress would feel safe in their jobs to vote in some nasty legislation. “We’ve been working on gun control in the background”, remember that quote?
Let’s see. They say Regan sold arms to the Contras. Now, Obama gives arms to drug dealers in Mexico. There seems only to be differentiated by the entrepeneur aspect of one President and the redistributionist nature of Obamas. Then when it comes to lying to congress: Eric Holder's justice department is trying Roger Clemens for the same exact thing starting Wednesday.
Isn't that unfortunate timing? :)
For Eric Holder and "his people," I mean.

spec/ops ret. July 11, 2011 6:01 pm (Pacific time)

Gee Wiz,someone in US gov lied,is anyone in the "herd"
really surprised?

MK July 11, 2011 2:09 pm (Pacific time)

visit tdarkcabal.blogspot.com and read the rest of the criminal behaviors of this and the past two administrations

Outraged July 11, 2011 11:32 am (Pacific time)

I think manslaughter is easily provable without even bringing up motive. He (just who is "he?") obviously

authorized the Illegal purchasing of guns with taxpayer money that lead to the death of two American Law

enforcement officers and an untold number of Mexicans. Manslaughter, by definition, does not require a motive. From a criminal law standpoint, all the elements are there,

namely means and opportunity. There’s even a smoking gun, several thousand of them in fact. "He" announced what was

When you harbor such a deep and profound contempt for the United States like Holder and Obama have, lying to the public's face just isn't a big deal to them. In their twisted arrogance, they probably actually see themselves as martyrs. Can't even some people on the left see how damaging this is? Not to mention the thousands killed in Central America and Mexico?

Anonymous July 11, 2011 9:31 am (Pacific time)

"Tim King: Well too bad you are so easily bored with a subject of this magnitude. Perhaps that explains why it takes a group like ours with steadfast, tireless individuals to bring it forward." I have been following this story for quite some time now, long before you wrote this rather superficially covered story. One should also realize that when the cartel thugs engage in the majority of their daily criminal acts it is with military grade weapons (including full automatics) that they do not get from the states, much less typical gun vendors. Obama's underlying motive in these gun-running operations has been to accomodate the anti-Second Amendment gun grabbers. It has backfired. Now we will see how the democrats start shielding (obstruction of justice) Holder, and others in the Obama Administration because of the fast approaching 2012 election. I would like to than Tim King for writing on this matter, maybe you'll start to understand who the real boogey people are, maybe not...

normbal July 11, 2011 6:33 am (Pacific time)

Move along, nothing to see. Melson will fall on his sword, Holder will stay, The Obama will ignore it; if the mainstream media refuse to acknowledge the crime, it doesn't exist. Remember, they (ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, MSNBC, George Soros) put these Chicago thugs in office, and their work of destroying all rule of law isn't done yet.

Jerry Alexander July 11, 2011 6:17 am (Pacific time)

The American people are to blame for any,and all that is happening to our country..nobody else! It`s us!
Never forget!! %44 of our Marines said that they would Kill Americans if ordered to...ever wonder who raised these comi idiots?

Jerry Alexander July 11, 2011 6:13 am (Pacific time)

So What? Does anyone really think this will slow them down?.....Not a chance!!It`s not just Barry...it`s most of our so called elected leaders that are in on it...they`re just Greedy,self serving crap.

Susan Daniels July 11, 2011 5:43 am (Pacific time)

Holder didn't give "false statements," he outright LIED. Isn't that a federal offense during a hearing like this?

Howard T. Lewis III July 11, 2011 3:33 am (Pacific time)

This Holder, Jr. idiot has to be one of Raum Emmanuel's buddies. Who set up this administration? Wes Craven? Hitchcock died years ago. Did he have a son in the business?

Soulstraw July 11, 2011 12:58 am (Pacific time)

Second off, a certain someone needs to stop acting so smug! That was ignorant fools like "Nanual" does! Questionman was right! It's the U.S. Constitution that's the law of the land!

Soulstraw July 11, 2011 12:51 am (Pacific time)

are you serious!? double standards all the way. i bet there was nary a peep about impeachment from you when W. was using the constitution to wipe his behind. You can claim you were against that too, but it doesn't make it true. I don't know who was more out of line, Questionman, Jon, or Nanual? All three of them! This isn't as a case of racism like Questionman thinks, but it is a case of double standards! Some people are allowed to vilefully insult the president like "Fuzzlenutter" but Questionman gets the red flag? that does not make sense!

Tim King: I was a Marine and as a reporter I've covered the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but because I have been fair to the people over there fighting and because I advocate for Veterans, does not make me a right wing hack. Most people accuse me of being a leftist, particularly because my writings about Israel are clear and accurate. You're being allowed to make your point, but people don't have to agree with you.

Iixsive July 10, 2011 10:52 pm (Pacific time)

Arrest the us government

Anthropologist July 10, 2011 9:20 pm (Pacific time)

For 40 years, I have been studying and working to do my part to solve the drug problem. I see now that the drug war was always a ploy to line the pockets of arms manufacturers, defense contractors, and corrupt politicians. As Mark Twain said: There is no distinctly American criminal class - except Congress. I guess we can include political appointees in that statement. To quote another great American, former Marine and DEA Agent, Enrique Camarena, who died at the hands of Mexican drug traffickers because he was trying to expose corruption on both sides of the border in the drug war of the 1980s: "What’s gonna have to happen? Does somebody have to die before anything is done? Is somebody going to have to get killed?” Well, it appears that his death and the the more recent deaths of other agents won't be enough either to end this farcical drug war. My final statement comes from Abraham Lincoln: We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution. I can't help but think that, ironically, the Department of Justice, sworn to uphold the Constitution, is really perverting Justice and the Constitution of the United States.

CamronTwo July 10, 2011 9:05 pm (Pacific time)

Well? Finally a journalist with real balls and integrity. Thank You for standing up and reporting the true facts of this cover up in the making. Keep on this story or it will die like so many others. This is real crooked stuff and the American people had better wake up. Time is very short. We Americans are loosing our country to special interest media, crooked politicians, and Washington's insider clowns.
However, watch out I do not trust them.THEY have to cover this up. THEY have no choice, or They (in time) will go to jail.

ELMO July 10, 2011 7:26 pm (Pacific time)

ee the hidden picture yet?American's guns are finding their way into Mexico and are responsible for killing the poor peasants. Hillary said it last year. The Chicago Police Superintendent said American Gun Laws are Racist. That enemy of freedom Bloomberg then took up the torch to evisorate our 2nd Ammendment while TIME, George Will and CNN host CFR member Fareed Zakaria says the US Constitution is out dated and old fashioned. Talk about a Conspiracy. When will you wake up and smell the take over? Congress won't bring these scum bags to justice, nor will the courts or cops. Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of our Country. It has been hijacked for decades. These "officials" need to be dragged behind manure spreaders on their way to trial.

jon July 10, 2011 7:16 pm (Pacific time)

The brainwashed 0bot race pimps will come out and declare all criticism and investigations of 0bama to be racist.

Don July 10, 2011 6:40 pm (Pacific time)

This is the best investigative reporting I've seen on this case to date!

Anonymous July 10, 2011 6:58 pm (Pacific time)

sorry, but infowars.com had this story a month ago, and more stories of drug smuggling, and gun smuggling. But when "I" say it, or write it, I get treated like a rear end. I wrote about this weeks ago. But I am a consipracy theorist. When I said flouride in the water is hurting our bones, especially in children, I was laughed at. Now the government admits it..When I said there is an elite group of people running this country, I was a conspiracy theorist..etc. You think THIS story is crazy? You have no clue what it really going on.. Bombing Libya? for what? killing countless civilians and the DU the bombs are leaving behind will effect civilians of Libya for generations..We are there for "humanitarian" reasons? Give me a break. The U.S. is helping afghans grow opium, which comes to the U.S. at cheap cost, then incarcerate those that use it, and put them in "for -profit" prisons. The U.S. and NATO are using...wait for it....al ciada, as rebels in Libya...Yep, the same people we are supposed to be afraid of, are being supported with arms and money to bring ghadaffi down, because he wont go along with the bankers. period. And this is just a small portion of what is going on...while YOU.....sleep. Sorry to be so sarcastic but I wrote this information from this article in blogs weeks ago.

Nanual July 10, 2011 6:54 pm (Pacific time)

To the sanctimonious insensate fool w/avatar "Questionman,"

Not enough space in the world to address delusional, indignant imbeciles who love advertising to the world how much more 'intelligent' and informed vs. the rest of the world, he is not.

Your opening line PROVES just how moronic this Republic has become:

"So much nonsense. So little time. To go over all of this would be a days work so let me start with the last. The author seems to have confused the Constitution with the DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, which is NOT the law of the land."

Apparently in era where a search is a click away, you're too lazy or stupid to realize WHAT the Federal Register is.

Do you have ANY clue WHAT the very FIRST LAW to be recorded into the Federal Register IS?

Yes, dumbass, it IS the Declaration of Independence! IT IS the LAW OF THE LAND.

You're just another imbecile in along line of artifect of the FAILED public indoctrination system.

Let's face it, most are so lazy and asleep, your world view hasn't evolved an iota since your 7th grade history days.

Grow up.

But, lucky for the rest of the globe, people are waking up at a faster rate.

So apparently if same crimes occurred under previous administration, it must be okay to continue it... Now there's a logic even a three year old would tell you: "Now, that's just STUPID!"

You know since I do feel for you, do yourself a favor and EDUCATE and inform yourself, particularly since I'm sure you're gonna disagree vehemently in your ignoble rage; so verify, especially if you DO want to disprove what I'm saying, CHECK the FEDERAL REGISTER.

Good Doggie.

WV FFL July 10, 2011 6:41 pm (Pacific time)

Thank you for printing a very clear summary of this story. I've been following it ever since CBS news first reported on it last year, and it's grown so big that it was impossible to give people just one or two links to read to get the whole enchilada. Thank you for providing a clear, concise story on this fiasco!

Editor July 10, 2011 5:10 pm (Pacific time)

To the comment from 'WuzYoungOnceToo', your tone is not needed here. If you want to try it again feel free, but opening with a personal insult lands your comment in the trash. I also think you are a shill.

Emillio July 10, 2011 5:01 pm (Pacific time)

HOLDER LIED!
PEOPLE DIED!

Montgomery July 10, 2011 4:02 pm (Pacific time)

Knowing the modus operandi of the top law enforcement officials in the US shows clearly the importance of the second amendment to the US constitution. We can never delegate our security to a disinterested government entity,

Questionman July 10, 2011 3:46 pm (Pacific time)

So much nonsense. So little time. To go over all of this would be a days work so let me start with the last. The author seems to have confused the Constitution with the DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, which is NOT the law of the land.

Everything the author and his kind have leveled at President Obama can also be laid at the feet of prior administrations. For example, every president since Nixon has used Czars. Looks like President Obama is going to have a lot of company in the dock on that charge. President Obama’s administation has returned more illegals to their native lands then the previous administration. It was Reagan who granted amnesty en masse. This author’s memory is very short if he does not remember Iran-Contra. I could go on but even I am getting bored.

Hey, Racists, pick up a history book, if you can find one not revised in Texas, the next time you contribute!

Tim King: Well too bad you are so easily bored with a subject of this magnitude. Perhaps that explains why it takes a group like ours with steadfast, tireless individuals to bring it forward. I find it anything but boring and that is why I am putting hundreds of hours into comprehending the complicated series of events that have led us to this point. I'm no big fan of politicians by the way, and this story is not about Bush or Clinton or Reagan and does not address or attempt to explain or justify the actions of any of the above. Like other Americans, I just want honesty and moral aptitude. This developing story by the way, is the only thing quite like it that I have ever seen, and the emails and comments on the story indicate that a wide range of Americans are really put out over this. Finally, I often mention this when I write about Tosh Plumlee, but he is a former CIA contract pilot and he flew the missions. He also was the first to blow Iran/Contra open by offering testimony to Hart and Kerry that led to what we now know as the Iran/Contra hearings.

Other media groups have picked it up and looked at it, there have been discussions from Hollywood producers, authors, etc. The problem for the Marines is that Jim Sabow's brother is Doctor David Sabow and he has never let the torch die. We love David and will always be here to beat this drum until the truth is fully out. There are people in govt. who know about this. And for the record, it is the investigation of this case years ago that led to our meeting and eventually joining forces with Mr. Plumlee, who I have to say is the most fascinating individual I have ever met, with history that intertwines with everything the U.S. has done since the late 50's.

As to your last point, you have absolutely no idea who we are do you? Salem-News.com is very very anti-racist. So step back just a little bit, and you probably won't be pissed off about this story. Thanks.

bob July 10, 2011 3:25 pm (Pacific time)

like roger clemens, put holder on trial and waste more of our tax dollars. no one died cause clemens lied. An imbecile working for an imbecile. Birds of a feather flock together

Capt. Ron July 10, 2011 3:20 pm (Pacific time)

The fish rots from the head down.

bob July 10, 2011 3:20 pm (Pacific time)

now lets see if congress puts him on trial like they put Roger Clemens on trial for lying to congress!!!

YUMADLH July 10, 2011 2:53 pm (Pacific time)

Please do not let this story die. Justice needs to be handed out and soon or this will get covered up MORE !!!

YUMADLH July 10, 2011 2:48 pm (Pacific time)

Can Holder be held responsible for a wrongful death of these agents and can the families bring suit. Include BHO.

Graham Wellington July 10, 2011 2:34 pm (Pacific time)

NOBAMA writes -
"HOLDER LIED, PEOPLE DIED! NOBAMA 2012"
Actually, given the
time frame, it should read -
"PEOPLE DIED, HOLDER LIED!NOBAMA 2012"
Which is actually WORSE, because Holder lied AFTER the fact of knowing that 2 of our Federal Agents, along with hundreds of innocent Mexicans were murdered.

Jack Kinch(1uncle) July 10, 2011 2:32 pm (Pacific time)

The demos have used our taxes and our laws to buy enough votes to stop any investigation and to get re-elected.

Thank God for people like you who still are practicing real journalism. Reading through this piece gives me hope that not all the media is a bought and paid for, controlled mouth piece for the govt. I have watched major stories disappear without a peep from the MMS. I was beginning to resign Operation Fast and Furious to the halls of media silence /irrelevancy.

JonnyMuffin July 10, 2011 1:15 pm (Pacific time)

@Mr.Wright
Obama doesn't hold any exclusivity on lieing. Lets take a trip down memory lane:
"Iraq has WMD's"
"I did not have sex with that woman"
"Read my lips, NO NEW TAXES"
They all lie, Holder is just trying to fit in!

After loading it, left click and select properties. Check out the creation date. Doesn't quite fit holder's time line as to when he knew about "fast and furious".

Editor: Thanks,. I can only imagine that the weapons were used in numerous crimes beyond those mentioned here.

sarah ford July 10, 2011 12:21 pm (Pacific time)

why isn't this article re-printed in the ny times?

NOBAMA 2012 July 10, 2011 11:20 am (Pacific time)

HOLDER LIED, PEOPLE DIED!
NOBAMA 2012

JC July 10, 2011 11:20 am (Pacific time)

What did the President know, and when did he know it? What did Secretary Napolitano know and when did she know it and what did the Secretary of State know and when did she know it? From public statements all three have made, hinting at 'working behind the scenes' for gun control and 'big stuff happening at the border' to false statements that '90 percent of illegal guns in Mexico come from the United States' all three must have had knowledge of this fiasco.
Independent Counsel must be appointed immediately to investigate and bring charges where necessary.

Copied comment from Reddit July 10, 2011 10:35 am (Pacific time)

This person is confusing Project Gunrunner with Operation Fast and Furious. They are not the same thing. Project Gunrunner was the larger project whose goal was to stem the flow of guns into Mexico, while Operation Fast and Furious was a small part of it.

What's sad is that all it takes is five minutes on Wikipedia to refute his "proof."

Editor: This is a very serious issue, it is not a game of semantics.

From Reddit:

The ATF’s “Project Gunrunner” facilitated the sales of weapons from gun shops in Phoenix and Tucson to Mexican cartel members so the DOJ could track the sales and make arrests. Those guns were used to kill US Border Agents.

Also from Reddit:

What we know about Project Gunrunner? Well, the ATF allowed gun sales they knew were going to Mexico drug dealers and shortly thereafter politicians were calling for new gun laws because - wait for it - US guns were found in the hands of Mexican drug dealers.

sara mcDaniel July 10, 2011 10:27 am (Pacific time)

Thank you for this insightful excellent article. Thank you.

Anonymous July 10, 2011 10:03 am (Pacific time)

Obama and Holder are responsible for the death of American Agents. This is impeachable offense. When do the American people wake up and do something about this Administration? How many more Americans have to die under the Obama regime? And what about the terrorists? This administration supports the terrorists who kill our brave men and women. Shame on this Administration. Impeach now!

Fuzzlenutter July 10, 2011 9:38 am (Pacific time)

Believe me, NO liberal media (90%+) will touch this story. And even if they do, the Obama Regime is so corrupt that absolutely NOTHING will come of it. NOTHING...

A blistering indictment of the high level corruption of the Obama administration. But of desperation to keep the failed "war on drugs" going and violent, not to mention they were going to use it to justify more gun laws. Wanton criminality to justify changing or influencing government policies by their very own definition terrorism. This is unacceptable and criminal not to mention immoral and disgusting.

Dee July 10, 2011 8:24 am (Pacific time)

Put all this together with Obama's statement to Sarah Brady on March 30th that his admin is working on gun control 'under the radar'.
His own stimulus bill was funding this - there is no question the president approved and supported this illegal activity.

toldya July 10, 2011 7:23 am (Pacific time)

High treason from top to bottom. No resigning or stepping down. Prison or execution for attempting to subvert the constitution with a false flag.

MaryLS July 10, 2011 7:23 am (Pacific time)

Excellent coverage -- more is needed by MSM. Unfortunately, many seem prepared to ignore this criminal treason. I think it is the scandal of the decade. Keep up the good work.

Vinny July 10, 2011 7:05 am (Pacific time)

IF, a Consevative captures theW.H., and we secure a super majority in Cong. Many of these vile Socialists, in power, will go he wayside of many Fed. crooks----to the Joint.

Vince July 10, 2011 6:41 am (Pacific time)

Bigger scandal than Watergate and no one died as a result of that scandal.

sherlock July 10, 2011 6:09 am (Pacific time)

I used to say that the Democratic Party is a criminal enterprise, as a way to shock people about how endemic corruption is in Dem-controlled electoral districts.
It has become simply a statement of objective fact. Now I just add on ", and the US mainstream media are their accessories and enablers."

Terry Saulsbury July 10, 2011 4:52 am (Pacific time)

To Moe Hailstone - Mexico is a bigger problem than the U.S. The best answer is to CLOSE the border immediately.

Jon Carry July 10, 2011 3:54 am (Pacific time)

Holder lied, people died.

flash July 10, 2011 3:39 am (Pacific time)

Thank You Salem-- You are on top of a major story that all Americans should know about. Don't let Washington insiders kill our country and cover this up like all the other wrong doings..

Agron Belica July 10, 2011 3:10 am (Pacific time)

This is deep!

Moe Hailstone July 10, 2011 1:30 am (Pacific time)

Mexico should take this to the International criminal Court at The Hague, The Netherlands